Daily Archives: May 14, 2008
The following is my segment with Matt Yalloff during tonight’s pre-game show on SNY, during which we discuss the Confidence Rating, Ryan Church and the Subway Series:
…i probably should have waited to discuss Willie Randolph, as i suspect people may have some choice words for him following tonight’s game…
…nevertheless, if you have any constructive criticism regarding my first attempt at being a ‘talking head,’ i would appreciate hearing from you…
The Mets (20-18) lost to the Nationals (17-24) by a score of 5 to 3 at Shea Stadium tonight.
For a complete recap and box score, check out SNY.tv.
Oh, Aaron Heilman, I don’t even know what to say anymore. He was an absolute nightmare tonight allowing three runs, not including the stranded runner left by Claudio Vargas with two outs in the seventh. He even had an 0-2 count on Jesus Flores, who opened the flood gates with a RBI single. I’m actually starting to feel bad for the guy.
What’s curious is why Willie Randolph didn’t take out Heilman after Felipe Lopez drove in the Nationals third run of the night. It was obvious Heilman was stuggling and it shouldn’t have been until the fourth run of inning scored before Willie pulled Heilman for Joe Smith, who promptly struck out Ryan Zimmerman on the three pitches. With the way Heilman has pitched this season, he doesn’t deserve that much rope.
As for Vargas, you couldn’t ask for more. He was stellar through the the first six innings, but ran out of gas after getting one out in the seventh. Unfortunately his effort was wasted by Heilman. It’s shame, you pitched well for the win tonight, Claudio. However, welcome abroad. I look forward to your next start.
I know it was a close pitch, but Moises Alou, who was ejected in the fifth for slamming hit bat acrossed homeplate, must do a better job keeping his composure. There was absolutely no reason for that kind of response and he deserved the ejection. Moises, you’re too important of a player on this team to act in such a selfish manner and your actions cost your team a chance to rally in the eighth.
Although they didn’t have many chances against Tim Redding tonight and the got a bit unlucky with a few hard hit balls, the offense still struggled when men on base.
Splitting this four-game series against the Nationals is the last thing this team needed and they can do no better than that with a win tomorrow.
The Mets finish off their four-game series against the Nationals tomorrow afternoon with Mike Pelfrey making the start.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
Prior to tonight’s game, Mets GM Omar 
Minaya told reporters that Pedro Martinez tossed 55 pitches, while fielding his position, against live batters, in a simulated game in St. Lucie today.
According to Minaya, Martinez’s will throw an extended spring training game or another simulated game before starting his Minor League rehab.
Tagged Pedro Martinez |
Tonight in Binghamton, B’Mets OF Fernando Martinez left the game in the second inning after injuring his ankle while trying to steal second base.
In the comments section of this post, The Ghost of Shea Past writes:
“Just practicing for the big club DL stint- emulating the veterans.”
…sad, but true…well played, ghost…
…Update…10 pm…
According to Brian Moritz and his blog for the Press & Sun Bulletin, Martinez said he felt a ‘little pop’ in his hamstring, adding, “It may be a day or two before I can play again.”
Mortiz reports that the team will reevaluate Martinez tomorrow.
The Game:
The Mets (20-17) continue their four-game series versus the Nationals (16-24) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- RF Ryan Church
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- LF Moises Alou
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- C Brian Schneider
- 2B Damion Easley
- P Claudio Vargas
The Pitchers:
RHP Claudio Vargas (0-0, — ERA) makes his Mets debut. In his last start for Triple-A New Orleans on May 8 versus Fresno, Vargas earned a win throwing seven scoreless innings allowing four runs while striking out six. He was 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts for Triple-A New Orleans. In 29 games, 23 starts for the Brewers in 2007 he was 11-6 with a 5.09 ERA. He is 0-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts versus the Nationals.
RHP Tim Redding (4-3, 3.83 ERA) starts for the Nationals. Redding took the loss in his last start on May 9 versus the Marlins allowing six runs, five earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out three over 5.1 IP. Opponents are batting .361 (13-for-36) when facing Redding the third time through the lineup. He is 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA in seven career games, six starts, versus the Mets.
The Notes:
Felipe Lopez is 4-for-8 with 3 HR and 4 RBI in his career versus Vargas.
The Mets are averaging 6.7 runs per game over their last seven contests.
Moises Alou is batting .416 (12-for-30) with 4 RBI during his current seven-game hitting streak.
Jose Reyes is 4-for-11 with a triple and 2 RBI in his career versus Redding.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen locally on
and heard locally on WFAN.
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
In February, I wrote: “A Home-Run Apple will be featured below the scoreboard at Citi Field, and will rise out of a gigantic cement canister that has already been built, which you can see above, or by clicking here. However, as the team’s spokesman said, ‘It may or may not be the same apple that is at Shea Stadium today.’”
According to MLB.com and Newsday, nothing new has been announced regarding the Apple.
Darryl Strawberry, when asked if likes the the Apple, said the following in a recent report in the Daily News:
“Love it…It’s the Big Apple, you know?…That Apple has always been special to me – it means you’ve done something good.”
…also, Save the Apple loves the apple, as they continue thier effort to, well, save the apple…
To watch a clip of Mets COO Jeff Wilpon during yesterday’s tour of Citi Field with reporters, click play below:
So far this season, six different men — Angel Pagan, Moises Alou, Endy Chavez, Brady Clark, Marlon Anderson, and Damion Easley — have played left field for the Mets and none has hit a home run while playing the position.
Traditionally, left field is the spot on the diamond where a team positions their best power hitter, and/or “hides” a slugger who has troubles with glovework. The theory is that left field is the least important defensive position, requires the least amount of skills, and so if you have a player who is a strong hitter but without a position, you “stick” him in left. Examples who immediately come to mind are Adam Dunn, Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds (in his later years), and Josh Willingham.
So it’s ironic that the Mets’ left fielders have yet to bang one over the fence. Of course, Alou is likely to knock one soon, and his offensive production — when healthy — fits the “traditional” mold of a left fielder.
…added to by Ted Berg…
Joe’s point shows the Mets’ need for offensive production from left field, which they’ve now gotten from Alou. In 29 games without the Middle-Aged Hitting Machine, the Mets averaged 4.5 runs per game. In eight games with him, they’ve averaged 5.7 runs per game. It’s a tiny sample, but it shows how important he is to the lineup.
Now they just need to figure out how to replace his production if he gets hurt again.
Tagged Moises Alou |
Toasty Joe wants you to meet the new Mets manager, Giuseppe Franco.
…well played…seriously, with the amount of ad time this gets on SNY, i’m shocked giuseppe’s mug isn’t part of the network’s logo…
John Maine is the Mets stopper, proclaims Brooklyn Met Fan.
Dave over at Mets Lifers says Carlos Delgado should try and bunt more often due to his declining ability to hit for power.
Metsradamus recaps the latest Mets pitchers to be sent home from “Rick Peterson’s Next Top Pitcher.”
Tagged Mike Nichols |
NBC news in Philadelphia reports that 91 minors were cited on Tuesday for underage drinking at Citizens Bank Park, while eight people were charged with showing false ID and nine with disorderly conduct.
Police also said seven juveniles under 18 years old were written up.
…i blame the philly fanatic, who as matt likes to say, can’t be trusted…
…hat tip to gene for the link…
Tagged Phillies, Regis Courtemanche |Click play below to watch Jose Reyes‘ new SportsCenter commercial for ESPN.
Tagged Mike Nichols | ← Older posts
